How many historic castles are for sale in France and who buys them?

Historical heritage of France

France has more than 43,000 sites with a rich history, of which about one third are unique architectural monuments. Among them, castle complexes and manor houses are particularly notable and form an important part of the country's cultural heritage. At the same time, parks and gardens account for only a small share - about 10% of the total number of sites.

Interestingly, the largest number of protected architectural objects in France belongs to private individuals, and every year hundreds of them are put up for sale. According to Irina Milyukhina, who represents the interests of Immobilien Mercure Group in Russia and Eastern Europe, their company carries out about 200 transactions a year related exclusively to historic castles.

Reasons for selling locks

The reasons why owners decide to sell their castles are often quite serious. Many of them have a deep respect for their homes and often suffer from the need to part with them. However, often the main reason for selling is financial insufficiency, which prevents them from maintaining the castle. As a result, such outstanding architectural monuments are often put on the market in unfavorable condition, requiring cosmetic or major repairs.

The popularity of historic castles

Despite the condition of the objects, buyers are mainly interested in historical castles built in the XVII-XIX centuries. Specialists explain this phenomenon as follows:

• Ancient castle structures were created for defense.
• The austerity of forms and lack of natural light were characteristic of the old buildings.
• The later castles, built during the Renaissance and Baroque eras, are characterized by elegance and exquisite architectural finishes.

After restoration, these properties will often be equipped with modern amenities, making them even more attractive to buyers.

Additional expenses when purchasing

When considering the purchase of such properties, it is worth considering the additional costs associated with titling. These costs include notary services and can range from7 to 8%of the total cost of the lock.

It is possible to choose both already restored ones and properties that require significant restoration work. It is also important to remember that castles recognized as cultural monuments fall under the protection of the law. This implies that any restoration work can only be carried out with prior authorization from the Ministry of Culture and using traditional methods. The state is willing to provide financial support and tax incentives for such restorations.

Government support for buyers

As Irina Milyukhina emphasizes, state authorities believe that it is much more expedient to support restoration work through tax breaks than to watch the destruction of historical sites.

This means that potential buyers can not only become new custodians of historical heritage, but also count on the state's assistance in restoring and preserving these remarkable monuments. Thus, making a decision to buy a historic castle becomes attractive not only from a cultural point of view, but also from a financial point of view, if one takes into account possible measures of state support and tax benefits.

Systems for the protection of architectural monuments in France

In France, it is important to realize that there are two main methods of protecting architectural objects of historical value. The first methodology consists in the registration of buildings in the register of historical monuments (le classement par le monuments historique, m.h.). This process covers any building that has a certain architectural value and is of interest to the State. In such a situation, strict control is exercised by the state authorities over all related restoration works, which are carried out in accordance with the established norms. Today, approximately one third of all protected architectural monuments in the country are subject to this category.

Additional list of monuments

The second method concerns the inscription of objects into the supplementary register of monuments (l'inscription à l'inventaire supplementaire des monuments historique, i.s.m.h.). Here, unlike in the first category, the object is not assigned the status of a monument, but only a ranking in the lists, which in turn implies more lenient control measures on the part of the state.

Who can be recognized as an architectural monument?

It should be noted that not only castle buildings can be recognized as architectural monuments. Various parks and gardens can also be categorized as such. In this case, public authorities can offer assistance in the maintenance of vegetation, which plays an important role in the preservation of cultural heritage.

Advantages for owners

As far as the owners of such facilities are concerned, they have their advantages:

• Owners may qualify for a tax exemption while renovations are being made.
• In addition, government support may cover up to50%restoration costs.
• Each project is individually evaluated.
• Requests for necessary information can be sent to local administrations.

Tax benefits

It should also be mentioned that inheritance tax liabilities can be reduced to50%. If the owner of the castle agrees to make it available to visitors at a minimum of40 daysyear, it can get rid of the property tax altogether. Openness periods are defined at the state level and are mandatory.

Responsibilities of owners of historic monuments

However, owners of historic landmarks have their own obligations as well:

• If the castle is formally recognized as an architectural monument, all types of repair work must be coordinated with the Ministry of Culture (service regional du patrimoine et monuments historiques).
• Restoration should only be carried out by licensed architects experienced in working with similar historic structures in France.
• Usually, the architect will assist the owner in preparing the necessary documents and approving the project.
• The time for consideration of a request shall be at least6 months.

Informing state authorities

In addition, the owner is required to inform the state authorities of any changes in ownership, including purchase, donation, or hereditary transfers. In some cases, opening a historical monument to the public becomes a mandatory requirement. Thus, owners need to take care not only of the preservation of their properties, but also fulfill certain requirements, which contributes to the maintenance of France's rich cultural heritage.

Cost of lock repair: key information

The cost of lock repair represents a key criterion to consider when choosing a property. SpecialistIrina Milyukhinaemphasizes that it is important to focus efforts on thoroughly checking the condition of the roof, walls, heating systems and other utilities, especially if the castle is intended for permanent residence.

Growing interest in real estate in France

Over the past few years, especially in 2017 and 2018, there has been a steady increase in interest in real estate in and around cities such as Bordeaux, Lyon and Rennes. Irina Milyukhina emphasizes that the cost of housing in these regions remains quite attractive, especially against the backdrop of increased investment in infrastructure and job growth.

At the end of 2017, the Bordeauxreal estate market showed a price increase of6.8%which was higher than in the capital. The main driver of this growth was the opening of the high-speed railroad between Paris and Bordeaux, as well as the new highway connecting Lyon to Bordeaux. In 2018, Lyon is expected to take the lead in real estate price growth, as over the past12 monthsthe value of the facilities increased by9.8%.

Availability for customers

The city of Rennes, located in Brittany, has also become more accessible for residents of Paris thanks to a new high-speed route, now reachable in just an hour and a half (350 km). Experts from Groupe Immobilier Mercure note that price increases are also expected in this region.

How to determine the reasonableness of a price

However, the question arises of how to determine whether the price offered by the seller is realistic. The most practical way is to compare the prices of similar properties in the same area.

• You can use specialized websites for self-analysis.
• It's important to understand that such platforms do not always take into account all the specifics of the property.
• This is especially true for locks, as each combination is unique.

Therefore, the assistance of a professional agent in such situations is invaluable, says Irina Milyukhina. If the price seems excessive after inspecting the property, there is always room for negotiation. The agent can also assist the buyer during negotiations with the owner.

The negotiation process

The buyer interested in the property submits their written offer through the agent, and if the terms of the negotiation remain reasonable (within the limits...10-15%), the chances of a successful proposal significantly increase.

Unique real estate offers

Among the available properties, a historic castle stands out, the construction of which took place inthe mid-18th centuryIt is located 50 km from Paris and costs€14 millionThis is an excellent choice for a country residence.

It is also necessary to carefully consider what costs will be associated with maintaining the castle after its purchase. After buying, it is important to clearly calculate the ongoing expenses for maintenance:

• Property tax
• Insurance
• Utilities
• Salaries of service staff

The estimated costs may range from1 to 3%from the total cost of the property per year.

Categories of customers

Regarding the use of the lock, Irina Milyukhina identifies two key categories of buyers:

• Representatives of the international business elite. "These people buy historic properties to create country residences or for business purposes, such as launching hotels, private clubs, or elite golf resorts," she explains.

The possibility of commercializing the castle is discussed even at the stage of purchase, allowing future owners to understand in advance what options are available to them. As a result, interest in real estate in these regions continues to grow, attracting both private and commercial buyers.

Conclusion

In conclusion, I would like to emphasize how interesting and multifaceted the market for castle sales in France is. This unique part of our cultural heritage not only attracts the attention of history and architecture enthusiasts but also represents a serious investment opportunity. Castles are usually sold with the history hidden behind their walls, and transforming them into modern comfortable living spaces is not just a task but also a chance to contribute to the preservation of architectural heritage.

It is important to note that castle owners often face the difficult decision to sell due to financial difficulties. Ensuring that the castle does not lose its uniqueness and dignity is only possible if new life is invested in its restoration and maintenance.

Demand for locks

Highlighting the demand for estates and castles from the Renaissance and Renaissance periods, we note that these properties possess not only architectural value but also emotional appeal. They can become a cozy home infused with history, as well as a profitable asset for an investor interested in long-term gains.

Support from the government

It is especially significant thatThe French government actively supports the owners of historical monuments., offering them:

• financial benefits;
• help with restoration.

This not only helps preserve unique architectural landmarks but also creates new economic dynamics by providing jobs and supporting the region's tourist appeal.

The new owner of the castle

I hope this review will help readers better understand the nuances of selling castles in France and appreciate the difference between historical value and modern housing requirements. Each building represents an entire era, waiting for its new owner who can see not only its past but also the real potential for the future.